Autodesk 360 Coming Soon To Mobile

A couple of weeks ago, before Google announced their forthcoming Tablet  the Nexus 7, a 7-inch Android tablet which will retail in the UK shortly for £159. I purchased a SuperPAD VI Chinese Clone from an ebay distributor in the UK for £105 with free delivery.

Should I have waited, I don’t think so, as soon as you buy any computer or new technology equipment, even if it is top of the range at that moment you know that its out of date as soon as you have paid for it. Next week there will be something faster, better and cheaper.

I recall buying a 24 pin wide carriage dot matrix printer for home use so that I could print out A3 drawings for £525 when that technology was still young (and so was I) and £525 was worth a lot more than it is today. Going back further when I first started work it cost me £17 for a scientific calculator. when I was only earning £15 a week before tax ;0) but I did not have to use 5 or 7 figure logarithms or my slide rule, which is still in with my tool box with drawing equipment that has not been opened for years.

The Nexus 7 will come with 8GB or 16GB of storage (there's a £40 premium for the bigger one),and have a 1280 x 800 IPS display; that's the same type of display as the new iPad, but with a little over half the resolution.

My particular SuperPAD VI came with IGByte Ram – 8GB Storage with Android 4.0 OS Ice cream Sandwich , 4 Way Screen Rotating G-sensor, Micro SD/TF card slot Maximum Capacity 16GB, Dimensions: 270 x 172 x 15mm, 1 x HDMI Port, 1 x TF Card Ports, 2 x USB Ports ,1 x DC Input Port, 1 x Earphone Port, 802.1 B/G Wifi Built-In, 1 x RJ45 Ethernet Port, 2 x 1 Watt Speakers

I wanted a 10” mainly because it felt the better size for me, having a Nokia phone that thinks it is a blackberry and is smart(ish) but not Android, I had seen others using their touch screens phones, including my daughters but had not really played with an Android device for any significant period of time.

So far, I’m reasonably happy with her (my Tablet) and the performance for surfing the net etc., there are some apps that don’t want to download and run on her, but she is a play thing. Would I have liked an ipad (you bet) but could I justify the expense (no). At a little more that the cost of a Kindle and a similar cost to a really basic Android Pay-As-You-Go phone, I’m quite happy. And yes like all my cars and most gadgets I own the SuperPAD VI is female.

There are lots of Android Tablet devices out there and many are being sold for two, three or four times what I paid for the SuperPAD VI and are still being supplied with Android 2.1 and 2.3 or lower.

I can only see these devices becoming cheaper and cheaper over the next couple of years as they become more common and widespread in use. It will not be long until a more robust Husky Hunter type site indestructible version tablet hits the market, or advances n technology produce a flexible sheet of plastic that can be rolled up and stuck in the Carpenters back pocket, or a small device that projects an interactive virtual screen hologram is in common place use on building sites. In real terms it isn’t that long ago that the first Site Agents these days called Site Managers actually started to use computers on building sites. Now desktops, laptops and ipads are common place even on the smallest of project.

Yes I’m old enough to recall the old Compaq and other Lugable computers pre laptops, and still have one arm longer than the other due to humping the old Compaq about, but I can still see what is coming for the construction industry.

Autodesk 360® Mobile App Sign-Up page https://360.autodesk.com/mobilesignup

On page shown above you provide Autodesk with your email address and device information, I'm also guessing that they are also building a list of currently used popular devices so I have submitted my request to be notified and added my device to the list.

The “I” in BIM - Borehole Record Viewer

Ok a couple of months ago I posted about construction related Information that is map based and available on the web.

Find the Postcode and Location Plan

Environmental Agency Maps

Geology of Britain Viewer

As a company Scott White and Hookins have been moving towards becoming as environmentally friendly as possible fro some time, and paper free as possible and have created their own database linked to Google Earth than holds all the borehole and site investigation on projects that we have been involved with.

As an ex-Local Authority Senior Structural Engineer we also kept (be it in paper and working towards a GIS system) a complete archive of all borehole and site investigation report submitted to the Authority for reference.

Now you can access a similar level of information directly over the internet using the Borehole record viewer on the British Geological Survey web site

Click on Go to Location

Pop in the post code of your site (here I’m using the Carshalton London House office post code.

Click on the nearest bore hole the ordinance Survey TQ sheet reference pops up with the coordinates of the borehole and its’ depth.

Click view on line and you have access to the borehole records – in this case dating back to 1909

Autodesk BIM Free Training Material

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The Autodesk BIM for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Management Curriculum can be freely accessed from here.  

Click on the various Units on the right hand side of the page.
For example, Unit 1 contains links to various whitepapers.

You can view all of the Curriculum videos here.

Another great find by Luke Johnson over at What Revit Wants which he got via: a Google Translate of Education - Curriculums BIM Revit Architecture pour les Professeurs en t�l�chargement gratuit ! - Village BIM
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ANZRS v3 now available!

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Its only 6 months ago that ANZRS the Australian and New Zealand Revit Standard Version 2 was released, changes to ANZRS are not expected to be frequent, as the ANZRS Committee understand the effort required to adapt to new standards and practices.  However, they wish to always keep the feedback gates open, and it is feedback from those who have contributed so far that they understand more of how ANZRS can be even better!

The ANZRS committee have kept significant changes to a minimum, as promised, but have worked hard to take all your feedback into consideration and to present a new pack that would be easier to navigate, more helpful and hopefully more practical to implement – to whatever extent you wish to.

Visit the website, register and download version 3.  

eTransmit for Revit Update

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eTransmit for Revit is a free* technology preview of an add-in application for Autodesk^® Revit^® Architecture 2012, Autodesk^® Revit^® Structure 2012, and Autodesk^® Revit^® MEP 2012 software.
For best results, installing Revit 2012 Web Update 1 is recommended. With eTransmit for Revit, you can:

• Copy and detach a Revit model and associated files to a single folder for internet transmission. This removes the typical error messages when you copy central files using the operating system.
• Locate dependent files automatically and include them in the transmittal folder, helping to reduce the possibility of error. All dependent files are automatically converted to use relative paths so the dependent files can be located by the model.
• Choose to include related dependent files such as linked Revit models, CAD files, DWF™ markups, decal images, and external keynote files. You can transmit any Revit (.rvt) model that has been upgraded to be compatible with a 2012 Revit software product.
• Transmit models that are using file-based worksharing or server-based worksharing. eTransmit for Revit will also work with non-workshared Revit models.

Common uses for eTransmit

• Internal archiving
• Sending deliverables to clients
• Model exchange between consultants/partners
• Model cleanup
• Sharing models between disciplines

What's new in 1.1?

In July we conducted a user survey to gather feedback from users who had tried the technology preview. One of the things that we heard very clearly is that there were a number of people who were experiencing problems using the initial version. Based on this, our biggest focus for version 1.1 was fixing issues. For a complete list of what is in 1.1, you can review the release notes and known issues, but highlights include:

• eTransmit will no longer crash when you try to create a transmittal on a network drive.
• The progress bar now updates correctly when there are errors and warnings (previously it gave the impression that the transmittal had failed when there were only warnings).
• You can now use eTransmit even if you have one or more models open.
• Unfortunately, transmitted models still do not open correctly if you double-click on them from the operating system. To open a transmitted model correctly, use Revit's file open command.

Availability

The technology preview will operate until June 30, 2012.

http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/revit_etransmit/.

Download

You will need your User ID and Password, pop over the the Labs Page to download

Help Autodesk out

See how well the eTransmit for Revit technology preview works for you, and be sure to tell Autodesk what you think by following the feedback link

You can also post comments on the Between the Lines or It's Alive in the Lab blog.
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Finding the Postcode and Location Plan

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Ok, I've had an email saying your maps articles are all well and good if you know the postcode. For some of the work I deal with for example Party Wall, it's kind of important to have the full address, especially for undertaking land registry searches to establish the Building Owners and Adjoining Owners details.

So I pop over to the Find a Postcode function on the Post Office web site at http://www.postoffice.co.uk/postcode-finder

There are Four little search filelds

OK I actually know the building number and the post code as this is my work address, but for this example assume I don't. So above I have only entered the building Name, Street and Town - then click on the Find Postcode and........

 The full postal address including post code and a nice little location plan to boot!

Enjoy.

Unlocking BIM Data - Echo

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Pop over to Revit ST and you will find a link to a white paper from Authors

Simon Taylor FRICS– Principal, Questant Inc., Project Controls and Risk Advisory Services

Christopher Bailey FRICS – Vice President, Chief Cost Planner, Lend Lease, New York

The introduction says

"A paper to introduce the concept of developing an industry standard coding structure for application to 3D design systems to create increased value from Building Information Modeling (BIM). It describes, by reference to the data that can be stored in the model, where the flow of data to ‘downstream’ management and analysis systems and databases is broken, and how the inclusion of standard coding will enable beneficial use of model information, and produce the value of BIM that is not currently available."

So a "thank you" to Glenn Jowett for finding this one
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Environmental Agency Maps

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Continuing on Information and Maps as a theme this posting is about the Environmental Agency web site and maps.

The Environment Agency is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and a Welsh Government Sponsored Body responsible to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development.

Their principal aims are to protect and improve the environment, and to promote sustainable development. They play a central role in delivering the environmental priorities of central government and the Welsh Government through our functions and roles.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which came into force on 1 January 2005, anyone may request information from a public authority which has functions in England, Wales and/or Northern Ireland.

The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) came into force at the same time as the Freedom of Information Act 2000. They clarify and extend previous rights to environmental information,

The example below is a postcode search looking at Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea

So if you are looking to buy a property near a river or the sea you can do your own research on this subject

CLICK HERE to visit the Environment Agency Map Resource

But its not only the Risk of flooding that can be researched, click the down arrow under “Other topics for this area…” and you get this interesting little list.

Here is a view of the same area with regards to Landfill

And here is the information re Pollution

So pop over to the web site and have a poke around you may be surprised just what’s on your doorstep ;0)

CLICK HERE to visit the Environment Agency Map Resource
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Geology of Britain Viewer

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I came across a website that might be of interest to you if you wish to find out the geology for any particular location in the UK.

Try clicking on following this link

All you need to do is type in the place name or postcode in the white box at the bottom Right Hand courner and click ‘Go’.

If you double click on any of the coloured area on the maps it tells you the bedrock formation and superficial deposits (if any).

Enjoy ;0)

Convert DWF to DWG using free tools

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Here is a re-post of a great little process posted over at What Revit Wants by Luke Johnson, again I had to re-post this it's so good and I love FREE processes.
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CLICK HERE for the original Posting 

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These steps helped me to leverage some data from a DWF file and convert it into vector data I could use in a DWG file:

1. Open DWF in Design Review
2. Print to PDF using CutePDF (this worked for me)
3. Open resulting PDF in Gsview (see this link)
4. Edit - Convert to vector format - dxf
5. Open DXF in AutoCAD or DWG Trueview
6. Save as DWG file

Hope this works for you.

Create FREE 3D Adobe PDF files from Revit

Here is a little GEM that I saw a couple of weeks ago on What Revit Wants the reason for re-posting, well it tells you how to Create a 3D PDF files from Revit for FREE and I love the FREE appliactions plus when I want to find it again I know I have it here on my Blog.

Original Posting Create 3D PDF files from Autodesk Revit for free

Here is how to do it:

1. Close Revit
2. Download and install i-model plug-in for Revit (you will have to register)
3. Download and install Bentley View
4. Open a Revit project
5. Open a 3D view
6. In the Ribbon, go to Bentley - Publish as i-model
7. Open the i-model DGN in Bentley View
8. File - Print to PDF
9. Tick 'Print to 3D'
10. Click Printer button
11. Choose a place to save your file
12. Open the 3D PDF in Adobe Reader
13. Have fun navigating your Revit model inside a 3D PDF file.

Enjoy

AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Revit ~ Review One Year On....

Last year saw the launch of the AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Revit. As we approach the first anniversary of its release, we take a look at how the standard has been received in the market, as well as the next steps in updating the content and expanding its market penetration, writes committee member Paul Woddy.

An interesting read, pop over to

To read more.......

Autodesk Feedback Community Group on Linked-In

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I've always maintained that there is little point in complaining about a piece of software if you are not willing to alpha and beta test to assist in its’ development.

I never wanted to become an Engineering Manager, Health and Safety CDM-C and Party Wall Surveyor it was just a natural progression from being a bloody good draughtsman and attending far to many part time college and university courses and obtaining an honours degree in civil engineering (with a structural bias).

Over the years I’ve written CAD software, alpha and beta tested all kinds of software, mostly these have been related to my first love “drawing”. Most testing I do is for fun, yes I like finding the little bugs in programs and code.

The profile for the group says “This group is intended for Autodesk product users and enthusiast interested in participating in Beta test cycles of future Autodesk product releases.”. That's good that means I'm an enthuiast and not a nurd or a geek :0)

Obviously to join the group you will need to set yourself up on linked-In (if you have not all ready).

So if you want to assist in making Revit and AutoCAD as bug free as possible, jump on board the group and get down and dirty with beta software.

Autodesk Feedback Community Group

There are a large number of Revit groups on linked-in already these include the likes off my own  

• UK Revit Register and
• 2D and or 3D Top CAD Experts
• Autodesk University
• Autodesk User Group International (AUGI)
• Charlotte's Revit User Group
• Club Revit
• Glasgow Revit User Group
• KA Connect
• Revit
• Revit Bloggers
• Revit Structure + BIM
• Revit Users
• Revitopia
• The BIM Community

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AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Autodesk Revit (The Holy Grail of BIM?)

The search for the Holy Grail of BIM Standards may be over, or has the journey only just begun?

Click Here to Download a copy

Alternative Download Link if you have problems with the one above

A workable implementation of the AEC (UK) BIM Standard for the Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry in the UK. (So it says on the cover).

The committee that put this document together had representatives from architecture, engineering and construction companies in the UK, large small, hence the adoption of the AEC (UK) moniker.

If nothing else it’s a fantastic starter for 10, and needs to be examined and considered before setting up your own standards (Why re-create the wheel when someone else has already done it?)

There is to be a presentation by Paul Woddy at the next LRUG meeting on the 19th July, and a group discussion between members afterwards.

BIMALOT!

OK in answer to It's only a model!

James Posted that he could not download the document from Googledocs ~ I've checked it out and the preview is gone! but you can still download to open or save see below

Revit Structure 2010 Quick Reference Guide

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Being an old AutoCAD User and recalling the old six page cardboard Quick Reference Guides that use to be provided with the software. I decided to try and create a Quick Reference Guide for Revit Structure 2010 to assist new users at our offices in Bedford, London and Winchester.

Unfortunately because I’ve used a font size for the visually impaired (also known as the over 40’s) it’s grown to 11 pages long.

As you know when I’ve posted this kind of material on the blog in the past, I’ve had to do it as a series of jpg's which can be a real pain for me to upload and for those interested in obtaining to harvest from the blog. The quality is also not as good as an Adobe file.

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Therefore I would like to thank the Partners of Scott White and Hookins, for donating some web space to make uploading and downloading this Quick Reference Guide and future material easier.

Click Here to download the RST2010 QRG

Can you Guess the Services provided by SWH from the icons on their website?

See animated flood drawings produced using revit on the SWH Website ~ Click Here

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Since posting this the webspace donated is being re-configured as a resource for LRUG London Revit Users Group ..... More to come soon

BIM Managers Tools ~ Directory Printer

Karen’s Directory Printer

This little tool allows you to scan a directory and report its contents to a CSV file (which can be brought into Excel). It can be set up to scan and report file info, folder info, or both file and folder information. Adding to its flexibility you can set it up to only report files with a file extension you specify.

Perfect for the CAD or BIM Manager looking for a way to perform file management audits.